Hsiao-Yu Liu, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
We are asking each current staffperson — and Chairperson! — with the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women to choose a milestone year to reflect on among these “50 Ways to Achieve Equality” posts. Today’s significant year is selected by Hsiao-Yu Liu, who volunteered with the Council on events since at least 2015 before government appointed her to the Council as a member in January 2023. In December 2024, she was appointed Chairperson and, originally from Taiwan, she is Council’s first Chairperson of East Asian background. Hsiao-Yu chose 2024 as her milestone year.
My name is Hsiao-Yu Liu.
Around eighteen years ago, I immigrated to Prince Edward Island with two young children, as the recipient of permanent resident status through the Provincial Nominee Program. Like many other families, my then-spouse stayed back in my original country, Taiwan, and I have been a sole parent, nursing this small family in Canada ever since.
In 2007, August 24 was my first day arriving in Charlottetown, PEI. In the first few years, I was busy exploring this Island and working as a volunteer and casual tutor for young children. I was also eager to find connection from the local communities to my identity as a Chinese descendant. Eventually, I ended up working with the public schools as a teacher and an instructor at UPEI and Holland College. While the professional connection was gradually established, I felt there were missing pieces for me as a woman, a single mom, and the feminine connection to myself personally.
International Women’s Day 2015: the first photo we could find of Hsiao-Yu at an Advisory Council event. Left to right: Farahnaz Rezaei, Fereshteh Shaer Zadeh, Hsiao-Yu Liu.
I started volunteering for the international migrant worker action team with the Cooper Institute, helping with International Women’s Day, and participating in the memorial service for the Montreal Massacre. However, it wasn’t until 2022 that I heard about the opportunity to apply to be a member of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women from my neighbour, Becky. She talked a lot about her work experiences and directed me to apply at the Engage PEI. Soon enough, I became a Council member. Finally, I could add more pieces to meet myself personally that I’ve been searching for a long time.
Jane Ledwell, Hsiao-Yu Liu, and Michelle Jay during Hsiao-Yu’s welcome and orientation to Council.
The milestone year for me is 2024. When a staff called and sought my opinion on being nominated for the Chairperson for the PEIACSW, my heart was pounding and my sweat was all over me.
Our favourite photo of Hsiao-Yu from 2024, emceeing at International Women’s Day so enthusiastically that her feet are leaving the floor!
I knew how to be a Council member, but I rarely explored the leadership role in an advisory committee such as ACSW. Luckily, the past executive team and the staff got me covered. The role as a first Asian chairperson for the issues and opinions to improve equality for gender diversity and people who identify themselves as women, has provided me with great opportunities for empowerment. It is my goal to advocate for gender equality and human rights, as well as to address critical social issues, such as eliminating gender-based violence.
So far, working for the Council has been a very unique experience; it is very close to my inner self, and it is so close, and made me feel like home.
Hon. Jenn Redmond, PEI’s Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and Hsiao-Yu Liu, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, in July 2025.
